Use of the term whole grain on the label of processed and ultra-processed foods based on cereals and pseudocereals in Brazil.

There has been an increasing consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods, accompanied by growing concerns about the relationship between diet quality and health. Whole-grain foods, composed of cereals and pseudocereals, are recommended as part of a healthy diet, and food labeling is an important tool for consumers to identify the presence of whole grains in packaged foods. This study aimed to analyze the use of the term whole grain on the label of processed and ultra-processed foods based on cereals and pseudocereals (amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat) in Brazil. Data were collected by a census of all food labels in a Brazilian supermarket. Foods were classified into eight groups according to Brazilian legislation and according to the presence or absence of the term whole grain. The prevalence of foods displaying the term whole grain or related expressions on the front label was assessed, and differences between groups were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test. Comparisons were also made in relation to the position of whole-grain ingredients in the ingredients list, given that Brazilian food labeling regulations require that ingredients be listed in descending order of weight on packaged foods. The level of significance was defined as